Equity · Stock options
Issue stock options without skipping a step.
Tell Solvd who the grant is for, how many options you want to issue and the business terms. Solvd checks the company’s equity framework, share reserve, exercise-price support and approval path before the supported workflow moves to completion.
For supported early-stage Delaware C-Corp option workflows. Tax and legal treatment depends on the recipient, plan, valuation facts and company documents.
Direct answer
A stock-option grant is a workflow, not just an agreement.
For a typical Delaware startup, an option grant needs a valid corporate authorization path, a supportable exercise price, terms that fit the company’s plan or compensatory arrangement, and grant documents that match the approved terms. ISO treatment adds specific statutory requirements.
Workflow
From “give them options” to a completed grant.
01
Define the grant
Recipient, share count, vesting and intended option type.
02
Check the framework
Confirm the relevant plan or arrangement and sufficient shares.
03
Support the exercise price
Confirm the fair-market-value support used for the proposed grant date.
04
Check classification
Test intended ISO / NSO treatment against recipient and statutory requirements.
05
Authorize
Use the board, committee or delegated path supported by company records.
06
Execute + update
Prepare documents, complete supported signatures and update the company record.
Sequencing proof
Try to skip a step. The workflow should show you what is missing.
- Equity frameworkReady
- 312,500 shares remain in reserveReady
- Exercise-price supportReady
- Corporate approvalRequired next
- Grant documentsWaiting
Prepare and route the approval before the supported grant workflow completes.
Pricing
From $500
Attorney-reviewed supported workflows.
The published price applies only to the defined standard workflow. Non-standard remediation, bespoke tax work or broader equity restructuring should be scoped separately.
Before / Next
What this grant depends on — and what it changes.
Founder questions
Common option questions, without the shortcuts.
Do I legally need an independent 409A appraisal before granting options?
Not in every circumstance. For nonstatutory options, the central §409A issue is generally whether the exercise price is at least fair market value at grant and the option otherwise fits the stock-right exception. Private startups commonly use independent appraisals to support that value.
Can we grant options before stockholders approve the plan?
Potentially, but intended tax treatment and plan requirements matter. For ISO treatment, IRC §422 requires a qualifying plan and stockholder approval within the statutory window.
Does the board have to approve every individual grant?
Not necessarily in that exact form. DGCL §157 permits the board to set option terms and also permits delegation within statutory limits. The plan and delegation resolutions determine the actual approval path.
Can an advisor receive an ISO?
No. ISO treatment under IRC §422 is tied to employee options. Advisors generally receive NSOs or another equity instrument.
Is an offer letter the same as an option grant?
No. An offer letter may describe intended equity, often subject to formal approval, but a completed grant follows the company’s actual authorization and grant-document process.